Part 3: Intervention Logic: A Tool for Measuring the Effectiveness of the Redress and Enforcement Provisions in the FTA and the CGA

As has been identified, the effectiveness of the redress and enforcement provisions of the FTA and the CGA need to be measured against the desired policy outcomes of the legislation.

The policy tool of intervention logic is being used in this context. Intervention logic is a technique which enables us to outline and test our theory about the way in which a particular policy is intended to produce an expected set of results or outcomes. It involves identifying the intermediate outcomes that need to be achieved for the desired policy outcome to occur. Intervention logic involves identifying the assumptions that are made for the outcomes to occur and testing these assumptions.

For MCA, the ultimate policy outcome is that consumers transact with confidence. Transacting with confidence in this context means that consumers' reasonable expectations of a transaction will be met. In instances where they are not, consumers will have access to appropriate redress.

Intervention logic diagrams have been developed showing the desired policy outcome and the intermediate steps and the underlying assumptions that are expected to deliver that outcome.

Diagram Three: Enforcement of Consumer Protection Law: Intervention Logic Overview

Diagram Four: How Is Trader Compliance Achieved?

Diagram Five: How Do Consumers Get Redress - Detail